After finalizing the event proposal, Shizuka began preparations for the election of the school festival executive committee members without stopping.
When she wrote the words "Executive Committee" on the blackboard, the originally lively atmosphere in the class suddenly quieted down.
It could be seen that everyone wasn't very interested in this position. No, it wasn't just a lack of interest; it was a bit of fear.
Clearly, as second-year students who had been through battles, they knew very well how thankless this task was. Perhaps some students with a strong desire for authority would enjoy it, but such people definitely wouldn't be in Class F.
"So... let's start with the boys. Any boys willing to volunteer as an executive committee member, please raise your hand." The delicate-looking class monitor stood on the podium and said.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
The room was silent. No one had any intention of raising their hand. Some boys even buried their heads lower than anyone else to avoid being chosen, looking as if they wished they could crawl under the table.
Because Hachiman knew the inside story in advance, he didn't look panicked at all. Instead, he watched the embarrassment of the surrounding students with the mentality of watching a play.
Truly unsightly...
Not a single bit of dedication!
Can't someone stand up and snatch Shinra's position?
That way, I wouldn't have to be his beast of burden.
Thinking of the treaty that humiliated men and forfeited sovereignty he had just signed with Shinra when discussing who would be the lead actor, Hachiman couldn't help but shed tears silently in his heart.
This also made him realize a truth: when you don't make a choice, someone will naturally make a choice for you, and often that choice is the one you least want to encounter.
So if you can make a choice yourself in the future, never give up the right to choose.
Fortunately, Shinra didn't ask him to do much, just help out. Hachiman could barely accept it; it was better than staging a Little Prince version of Romeo and Juliet on stage.
As no one responded, the atmosphere in the class became heavier. The class monitor on the podium was obviously at a loss. Just as the situation fell into a stalemate and no one knew what to do, Shizuka stepped forward and decided on the male executive committee member through forceful authority.
"Mori Shinra, is it okay for you to be the executive committee member?" Shizuka asked.
Hearing that Shizuka-sensei didn't mention their names, the boys in the class breathed a sigh of relief one after another. Then they turned their eyes to Shinra, all chanting in their hearts:
Don't refuse, don't refuse...
Under the gaze of everyone's expectation, Shinra nodded slowly. However, he wasn't without conditions; he needed a boy to help out.
Is he trying to drag someone down with him?
The boys lowered their heads again, acting like turtles shrinking into their shells.
On the contrary, a few girls seemed eager to try, seemingly wanting to volunteer.
After all, Shinra had good grades and was handsome. Maybe they could develop a wonderful youth romantic comedy through this opportunity to work with him. Even if there was no youth romantic comedy, it would be nice to feast their eyes, right?
But unfortunately, Shinra didn't care about these flirtatious glances. He wanted a beast of burden, not a vase.
And even if he really wanted a vase, it wouldn't be their turn. Yumiko, Yui—which one wasn't okay? If there really was no choice, he could also choose Ebina.
That way, not only could Ebina work, but she also came with a free Tobe.
An incredibly good deal.
Eh? Thinking about it this way, maybe choosing Hayama would be better. That way, most of the girls in the class would become helpers.
After all, simps don't distinguish between men and women.
"Let it be Hachiman. He has nothing to do anyway." Shinra selected the candidate.
Shizuka raised her eyebrows, then looked at Hachiman and asked, "Hikigaya, no problem, right?"
The boys with lowered heads also looked at Hachiman, with a look in their eyes that said, If you don't agree, I'll explode on you.
The girls also looked at Hachiman with scrutiny, seemingly saying, 'Can he do it? Better let me do it.'
Feeling everyone's gaze, the corner of Hachiman's mouth twitched. You guys are too double-standard.
Although he really wanted to say it out loud, he felt that if he did, his life in the class would probably end soon. So Hachiman just replied dully.
"Oh."
Always submitting to adversity.
"OK, then enter the next stage. Regarding female executive committee members, continue." Shizuka finalized the male executive committee member Shinra and his little beast of burden Hachiman, then gestured for the class monitor on the podium to continue.
"Um... so, is there any girl willing to volunteer as an executive committee member? Please raise your hand."
The class monitor regrouped. Unlike when choosing boys earlier, the response from the girls below was more enthusiastic this time.
But it was limited.
Working with Shinra was naturally a good thing, but the problem was there was an extra weirdo, Hachiman.
Hachiman's reputation in the class wasn't good, not only because he didn't have friends but also because of his eyes that looked hard to get along with.
Fairly speaking, Hachiman didn't look bad, even a bit handsome, but those lifeless dead-fish eyes ruined it.
Eyes are the windows to the soul. And in many romance novels, there is such a description: Eye contact is a spiritual kiss without desire for humans.
But... this is Hachiman. Do you dare to look into his eyes for ten seconds?
The vast majority of female classmates didn't dare.
Seeing the situation where there was intention but no action, the class monitor suggested: "If we can't decide like this, let's use rock-paper-scissors..."
"Doesn't Yumiko have a good relationship with Mori Shinra? Just let her go, right?"
Suddenly, a female voice spoke up unexpectedly.
Everyone looked towards the voice and found that the speaker was Sagami Minami, sitting towards the back near the hallway. Beside her were three other girls from the same camp, forming the Sagami Riajuu Group, facing the Miura Group near the window in the back row from afar.
No, sister, are you that brave?
The classmates didn't expect Sagami Minami to suddenly point the spearhead directly at Miura Yumiko. It must be known that Miura Yumiko's prestige in the class was known to everyone.
She was considered the second most powerful figure in the class besides Hayama Hayato.
Although Sagami Minami had some popularity, she paled in comparison to Miura Yumiko.
"Ha? Then you guys will do the job of greeting guests?" Miura Yumiko retorted directly facing the provocation.
Although she had thought about working with Shinra, when she thought that Yukino from Class J would most likely appear on the executive committee, she dispelled this idea.
She knew very well that compared to her, Shinra had a better relationship with Yukino. Even if she participated, she would most likely only become a spectator, and she might even be scolded to tears by the venomous-tongued Yukino again.
In that case, she might as well maintain her base in the class first, and then provide necessary assistance when Shinra carried out the executive committee work. In this way, she wouldn't have to confront Yukino, and maybe she could gain even more favorability points.
Of course, she wasn't afraid of Yukino, but the current situation wasn't in her favor, so she tolerated it for now.
What Miura Yumiko didn't expect was that Sagami Minami would attack her at this time. No wonder there was no movement after school started; it turned out she was waiting here!
Seeing Miura Yumiko retort without hesitation, the arrogance of the Sagami Group visibly withered. The followers looked at their leader Sagami Minami one after another, as if saying, You started this, you handle it.
Perk up, don't lose face!
Although Sagami Minami was scared inside, she still kept a smile on her face, saying as if she was joking: "Is that so Greeting guests is indeed very important too"
She simply didn't take up Miura Yumiko's challenge.
Anyway, she had already made the news public. The main goal had been achieved; it didn't matter if the secondary goals weren't met.
In Sagami Minami's original plan, on one hand, she wanted to use this opportunity to announce the relationship between Miura Yumiko and Shinra, thereby completely excluding her from being a competitor. On the other hand, she wanted to use this opportunity to separate Miura from the riajuu group, creating a gap for her to take advantage of.
But unfortunately, Miura Yumiko didn't fall for it. Mm... maybe she was too hasty.
If she hadn't spoken up, maybe Miura Yumiko would have really volunteered. But once she spoke up, even just to maintain her own authority, Miura Yumiko couldn't do as she said.
However, if Sagami Minami had to do it again, she would probably still do it because she couldn't wait that long.
As for whether she would offend Miura Yumiko... she definitely would, but it wasn't a big problem.
Although Miura Yumiko was very popular, Sagami Minami also had her own base, so she didn't have to worry about being isolated and bullied.
To survive in a Japanese school, one must talk about background and influence.
Moreover, friendship between girls is different from boys. Even if stabbed in the back, they wouldn't fall out because of it but would continue to be friends.
Mm, superficial friends.
Sagami Minami's move wasn't just for Hayama; she actually wanted to replace Miura Yumiko's ecological niche more. Rather than being number two among girls, she hoped to be the boss and enjoy the feeling of everyone responding to her call.
Miura Yumiko saw through Sagami Minami's thoughts clearly. Just as she was about to say something unfavorable to unity, Hayama spoke up in time: "How about this?"
"Let someone who can display leadership spirit take on this job."
Hayama hinted with his eyes at his little brother Tobe beside him. Tobe immediately understood and followed up: "In that case, wouldn't it be Sagami?"
"Mm, if it's Sagami-san, she should do very well."
Before Sagami Minami could respond, Hayama put a high hat on her first.
Shinra, witnessing the whole process, glanced at Hayama. You big-eyed, thick-browed guy are actually so black-bellied.
Sagami Minami, who was named, waved her hands repeatedly: "Eh? Me? Can I do it... absolutely not, right?"
Although she was refusing, she gave a feeling of wavering.
Needless to say, when girls usually show such a posture, they don't really mean to refuse. If they really wanted to refuse, it would most likely be a cold face, saying unambiguous words like 'I'm serious, I don't want to do it' in an unquestionable tone.
Just like being confessed to by someone they don't like. If they really don't like them, girls won't leave any room for imagination for boys.
...Except for bad women who keep spares.
Hayama naturally could see that Sagami Minami was just putting on an act. He cooperated with her performance, showing a guilty expression, putting his palms together, and pleading: "Please, Sagami."
"Mm... if no one else wants to do it, then it can't be helped... But, do you want me to be it..." Sagami Minami was secretly delighted while muttering to herself.
But rather than muttering to herself, it was more like she was deliberately saying it for others to hear.
After all, if she were really muttering to herself, she wouldn't say it out loud.
And if she said it out loud, could that be called muttering to herself?
Just like decent people don't keep diaries—despicable!
"Alright, I'll do it~" She reluctantly agreed while looking at Yumiko like a victorious general. However, Yumiko had long stopped looking at this guy and was chatting and laughing with Yui beside her.
She didn't take her seriously at all!
A trace of gloom flashed in Sagami Minami's eyes, but it was quickly washed away by the upcoming 'wonderful' life.
This short-red-haired girl turned to Shinra and smiled, "Then please take care of me."
As for Hachiman... she didn't look at him at all.
Seeing this situation, Shinra, unknown what he was thinking, also revealed a subtle smile upon hearing her greeting and replied, "Mm, please take care of me from now on."
Seeing the smile on Shinra's face and looking at Sagami Minami who was still grinning foolishly, Hachiman was instantly speechless.
Still smiling. The one coming to collect you has arrived.
Although he didn't understand why she said Miura Yumiko had a good relationship with Shinra, if their relationship was really good, then Sagami Minami, who had just made a series of small moves against Miura Yumiko, probably wouldn't end well.
Others might not understand Shinra, but could Hachiman not understand him?
Although this guy was sometimes unreliable, he was impeccable towards friends. This was also why Hachiman was willing to be friends with Shinra.
And Sagami Minami's behavior was undoubtedly dancing on Shinra's minefield. Combined with the familiar smile on his face...
Hachiman had already begun to pray for Sagami Minami.
—Hope she's okay.
Hmm, considering that Yukinoshita Yukino might also join after going to the school festival executive committee...
Hoho, is there actually a doubles match segment?
Exaggerated.
Thinking of this, Hachiman suddenly felt that being a beast of burden wasn't unacceptable. If he could see such a show every day, work or whatever... seemed acceptable?
Exciting!
As for Sagami Minami, she knew nothing about the impending crisis and was still immersed in beautiful fantasies at this moment.
She even started fantasizing that after doing this job well, she would use the accumulated prestige to pull Miura Yumiko off her horse in one fell swoop, become the queen herself, marry a rich and handsome guy, and reach the pinnacle of life.